Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL3212: Developments in British Politics: From Baldwin to Brexit

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Aims

This module will equip you with an understanding of a century's worth of British political history and enable you to make sense of the key issues and challenges in British politics today. In the first term you will look back at some of the most significant developments in British politics over the past century, taking in the formation of the modern British party system and the rise of organised labour, the postwar consensus, Thatcherism, New Labour and the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government. In the second term the focus will shift to the future of British politics and you will engage with a range of issues including Brexit, the effect of the global financial crisis on British politics, electoral reform, the changing party system and the role of the mass media. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of key trends in British politics over the past century;
2. Identify and critique the most important issues and challenges in British politics today; and,
3. Situate specific issues and challenges in British politics within their appropriate political and historical contexts.
Discipline-Specific Skills4. Apply abstract theories and concepts to empirical case studies;
5. Use logic and reasoning to evaluate arguments; and,
6. Deploy a range of social research methods commonly used in the discipline of politics.
Personal and Key Skills7. Demonstrate excellent ICT skills;
8. Work effectively as part of a team;
9. Conduct research using a wide variety of secondary and primary sources;
10. Communicate research findings clearly and concisely in the form of written reports; and,
11. Communicate research findings clearly and concisely in the form verbal presentations.